Meghalaya police sound red alert, DSP killed in encounter

Published: Wednesday, November 7, 2007, 18:08 [IST]

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Shillong, Nov 7 (UNI) A red alert was sounded across Meghalaya after the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militants gunned down a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Ri-Bhoi district today.

Chief Minister D D Lapang, who was rushing back to the state from the national capital, summoned an high-level meeting to assess the overall law and order situation in the state.

The DSP, identified as Raymond P Diengdoh, and HNLC militant, known as Joki, were killed in a fierce exchange of fire at Paham Umdoh forest.

The encounter took place when the slain DSP along with his team was busy sanitising the Paham Umdoh forest after being tipped off about the presence of HNLC militants there.

Two militants, hardcore HNLC cadres - Andy Lyngdoh and Sharailang Roy Wann - were arrested from the site of encounter, while three others managed to flee, police said.

Police also recovered two AK rifles, one pistol, magazines and several rounds of ammunition.

'' We have asked all our police stations to maintain a strict vigil following the exchange of fire with the militants, '' state Director General of Police B K Dey Sawian told UNI here.

'' Our operation to flush out the HNLC militants hiding in different areas of Khasi Hills will continue, '' the DGP asserted.

Earlier, Meghalaya police received reports that a group of HNLC cadres, armed with sophisticated weapons, entered Meghalaya from Bangladesh to eliminate Congress leader HS Shylla, former 'chairman' of the HNLC.

However, police gunned down five of the HNLC ultras in the heart of the city and recovered arms and ammunition from the site of the encounter.

With today's encounter, so far six HNLC ultras had been killed, two arrested, while one surrendered before police.